A globe-spanning constellation of six weather and climate research satellites based on global positioning system occultation technology developed at JPL successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Friday, April 14, at 9:40 p.m. EDT (6:40 p.m. PDT) aboard a Minotaur rocket. The Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate network, or Cosmic, is expected to improve weather forecasts, monitor climate change and enhance space weather research during its five-year mission.